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  1. #1
    Senior Member Darlene's Avatar
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    Data on illegal immigrants kept secret

    Published: 04.24.2006

    Data on illegal immigrants kept secret


    2 agencies cite privacy in denying info to prosecutors
    Knight Ridder Newspapers

    Two federal agencies are refusing to turn over a mountain of evidence that investigators could use to indict the nation's burgeoning work force of illegal immigrants and the firms that employ them.

    The Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration routinely collect strong evidence of potential workplace crimes, including names and addresses of millions of people who are using bogus Social Security numbers, their wage records, and the identities of the bosses who knowingly hire them.

    But they keep those facts secret.

    The two agencies don't analyze their data to root out likely immigration fraud, and they won't share their millions of records so that law enforcement agencies can do that, either.

    Privacy laws, they say, prohibit them from sharing their files with anyone, except in rare criminal investigations.

    But the agencies don't even use the power they have.
    The IRS doesn't fine even the most egregious employers who repeatedly submit inaccurate data about their workers. Social Security does virtually nothing to alert citizens whose Social Security numbers are being used by others.

    Evidence abounds within their files, according to an analysis by Knight Ridder Newspapers and the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.

    One internal study found that a restaurant company had submitted 4,100 duplicate Social Security numbers for workers. Other firms submit inaccurate names or numbers reports for nearly all of their employees. One child's Social Security number was used 742 times by workers in 42 states.

    "That's the kind of evidence we want," said Paul Charlton, the U.S. attorney in Arizona. He regularly prosecutes unauthorized workers, but says it's hard to prove employers are involved in the crime.
    Anything that suggests they had knowledge . . . is a good starting point. If you see the same Social Security number a thousand times, it's kind of hard for them to argue they didn't know."

    On Thursday, immigration officials announced a new push toward busting bosses who hire unauthorized workers.
    Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has asked Congress for access to the secret earnings files, a tool he says would help "get control of this illegal workforce."

    The records at issue are the earnings reports, sent by employers along with money withheld for taxes and Social Security.

    They contain workers' names and Social Security numbers, and when they don't match Social Security records, the information is set aside in what's called the Earnings Suspense File.

    Typos and name changes can cause wage reports not to match Social Security records. But increasingly, officials cite unauthorized workers using bogus Social Security numbers as a driving force behind the mismatched files.

    The incorrect worker files mushroomed during the 1990s, as migrants poured into the United States. Almost half of the inaccurate reports come from such industries as agriculture, construction and restaurants, which rely on unauthorized labor.

    The IRS also receives the mismatch information. It tries to match workers involved to its records, then probes to see whether the workers are paying taxes.

    To work lawfully in the United States, individuals must have valid Social Security numbers or authorization from the Department of Homeland Security.

    But the law doesn't require companies to verify that workers give them names and numbers that match Social Security records.


    Comments on this Story 25 Total Comments — See All Comments

    1. Comment by Mike A. — April 24,2006 @ 6:16AM
    Well if anyone doubts that our Federal government is complicite in illegal immigration, let this be your cherry popping moment: federal agencies not wanting to help thwart/prevent federal crimes. I remember (back in the day) listening to some John Birch Society whackos thinking "these guys are off their rockers". But every year that goes by the more sense they make.

    2. Comment by John M. — April 24,2006 @ 7:39AM
    Good thing this story didn't go on the front page - if people found out they would be upset. Even better to know that we can count on the Citizen's editors to ignore it and not followup. Can't have folks running around with the truth in their heads.

    3. Comment by Jim C. — April 24,2006 @ 10:49AM
    I agree with John M. This is a big story that deserves more play about a timely issue. Wow.

    for the rest of the comments on story see link

    http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/10253.php

  2. #2
    Senior Member crazybird's Avatar
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    In the really important issues the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.......but they can tell you what brand of toliet paper I by.
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  3. #3
    Senior Member gofer's Avatar
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    Today, Paul Harvey said, in reference to this, "they have more privacy protection than American citizens". He also referred to the recent marches as "a MOB", and trying to influence laws by "mob rule." It was pretty strong language for Paul Harvey.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by gofer
    Today, Paul Harvey said, in reference to this, "they have more privacy protection than American citizens". He also referred to the recent marches as "a MOB", and trying to influence laws by "mob rule." It was pretty strong language for Paul Harvey.

    Good for Paul Harvey..He is so correct about the Privacy stuff. We are tracked and kept on record in all sorts of ways. There is no record of them even often after committing crimes there is still no record. There free to do as they please. Hit a car..who cares, they don't have to pay..etc.
    <div>"You know your country is dying when you have to make a distinction between what is moral and ethical, and what is legal." -- John De Armond</div>

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